Inventory control system

ABSTRACT

An computer-implemented inventory control system and a method of inventory control which includes an inventory control program executable to analyze a sensor signal generated by a distance sensor having a fixed position at a target location to calculate the inventory level of a target product positioned at the target location based on separation distance between the distance sensor and the target product.

This United States Patent Application is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/956,244, filed Jul. 31, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No.9,607,284, issued Mar. 28, 2017, hereby incorporated by referenceherein.

I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

A computer-implemented inventory control system and a method ofinventory control which includes an inventory control program executableto analyze a sensor signal generated by a distance sensor having a fixedposition at a target location to calculate the inventory level of atarget product positioned at the target location based on separationdistance between the distance sensor and the target product.

II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional inventory control systems may require a person toperiodically travel to the location of the product(s) to inventory andto count the existing product(s) at a product location and calculate thedifference between the prior counted inventory for the product at theproduct location and the current counted inventory for the product atthe product location. To replace the product taken out of inventory, theperson must then make arrangements with the manufacturer or thedistributor of the product to ship replacement inventory for the productto the product location.

III. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly a broad object of particular embodiments of the inventioncan be to provide a computer implemented inventory control systemincluding a distance sensor having a fixed position in relation to atarget location which generates a sensor signal which varies based onseparation distance between the distance sensor and a target productpositioned in relation to the distance sensor at the target locationwith the sensor signal analyzed by execution of a computer code todetermine a separation distance between the distance sensor and saidtarget product useful in calculating an inventory level of said targetproduct positioned at the target location.

Another object of particular embodiments of the invention can be toprovide a computer code contained in a computer readable media with thecomputer code executable to analyze a sensor signal to determine aseparation distance between a distance sensor and a target productpositioned at a target location and further executable to calculate aninventory level of the target product positioned at the target locationand further executable to depict one or more user interactive graphicalimages on a graphical display surface which allow entry of a targetidentifier associated with target product characteristics of a targetproduct and a target location identifier associated with target locationcharacteristics of a target location and a distance sensor identifierassociated with a distance sensor having a fixed position in relation tothe target location which generates a sensor signal which varies basedon separation distance between the distance sensor and a target productpositioned in relation to the distance sensor at the target locationwith the computer code further executable to analyze a sensor signalgenerated by the distance sensor to determine a separation distancevalue which in the absence of a target product positioned in relation toa distance sensor at a target location and by analysis of the targetproduct characteristics associated with the entered target identifierdisplays in the user interactive graphical image an inventory capacityvalue at the target location associated with the target identifier andcan further function to generate and compare a first separation distancevalue and a second separation distance value to determine a changebetween a initial inventory level and a closing inventory level for thetarget product at the target location and can further function to depictin said user interactive graphical images a target product replenishmentvalue for the target product at said target location.

Naturally, further objects of the invention are disclosed throughoutother areas of the specification, drawings, photographs, and claims.

IV. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a particular embodiment of the inventivecomputer implemented inventory control system and method of inventorycontrol.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of hardware means, computer means, and networkmeans of a particular embodiment of the inventive computer implementedinventory control system and method of inventory control.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a particular embodiment of a userinteractive graphical image depicted on a graphical display surfacewhich by user interaction allows access to the functionalities of aninventory control program.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a particular embodiment of the userinteractive graphical image depicted on a graphical display surfacewhich by user interaction allows access to the functionalities of aninventory control module.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a particular embodiment of the userinteractive graphical image depicted on a graphical display surfacewhich by user interaction allows access to the functionalities of aninventory control module which allow entry of one or more targetlocation identifiers associated with a target location and one or more atarget product identifiers associated with a target product.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a particular embodiment of the userinteractive graphical image depicted on a graphical display surfacewhich by user interaction allows entry of a target location identifierassociated with the target location of a target product.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a particular embodiment of the userinteractive graphical image depicted on a graphical display surfacewhich by user interaction allows entry of additional target locationidentifiers associated with the target location of a target product.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a particular embodiment of the userinteractive graphical image depicted on a graphical display surfacewhich by user interaction allows the target identification process to berepeated to enter target identifiers associated with additional targetlocations for a target product.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a particular embodiment of the userinteractive graphical image depicted on a graphical display surfacewhich by user interaction allows entry of one or more target productidentifiers associated with a target product at the identified targetlocation.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a particular embodiment of the userinteractive graphical image depicted on a graphical display surfacewhich by user interaction allows entry of target product identifiers bydrill down in one or more of a plurality of target product identifiercategories associated with a target product at the identified targetlocation.

FIG. 11 is an illustration of a particular embodiment of the userinteractive graphical image depicted on a graphical display surfacewhich by user interaction allows entry of a target product identifierassociated with the target product at the identified target location bydrill down from a target identifier brand as illustrated in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is an illustration of a particular embodiment of the userinteractive graphical image depicted on a graphical display surfacewhich by user interaction or by operation of the inventory controlprogram enters calculated values related to inventory capacity for atarget product at a target location.

FIG. 13 is an illustration of a particular embodiment of the userinteractive graphical image depicted on a graphical display surfacewhich by user interaction or by operation of the inventory controlprogram enters calculated values related to inventory level for a targetproduct at a target location.

FIG. 14 is an illustration of a particular embodiment of the userinteractive graphical image depicted on a graphical display surfacewhich by user interaction or by operation of the inventory controlprogram enters calculated target product replenishment values for one ormore target product(s) at one or a target locations.

V. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Now referring primarily to FIGS. 1 and 2, which provide a generaloverview of an embodiment of an inventive inventory control system (1)and a method of inventory control. Particular embodiments includedistance sensor (2) having a fixed position in relation to a targetlocation (3) of a target product (4).

The term “distance sensor” for the purposes of this invention can be oneor more of an infrared sensor, a triangulation sensor, an ultrasonicsensor, or the like, or combinations thereof; however, these examplesare not intended to limit the embodiments of the invention solely to theuse of these illustrative types of distance sensors (2) but rather toprovide a sufficient number of examples to allow a person of ordinaryskill to make and use a wide variety of embodiments of the inventiveinventory control system (1).

The term “target location” for the purposes of this invention can be anyarea, place, point, absolute location, shelf, slot, pin, or the like, atwhich a target product (4) can be located, shelved, pinned, hung, or thelike, in relation to a distance sensor (2) whether inside or outside ofan enclosure such as building, storage area, warehouse, casement,cabinet, or the like, or combinations thereof.

The term “target product” for the purposes of this invention can begoods, packaged goods, fast moving consumer goods, or otherwise whichcan be positioned, located, shelved, pinned, hung, or the like, whetherindividually, as a collection of individual goods, or as a collection ofindividual goods contained within a carton or container, stacked on apallet, or the like, at a target location (3).

Now referring primarily to FIG. 1, as an illustrative example, one ormore distance sensors (2) (such as an ultrasonic distance sensor (5))can be positioned above a target location (3) (such as above a shelflocation (6)). As to particular embodiments, the target product (4) canbe a stack (7) of target product (4) (or stackable target product)positioned under the distance sensor (2) at the target location (3). Thestack (7) of target product (4) can include one or more target productlayers (8) each having a substantially uniform layer height (9) (asshown in the example of FIG. 1 the stack (7) of target product (4) canhave two uniform target product layers (8)). The distance sensor (2) cangenerate a sensor signal (2 a) which varies based on a separationdistance (10) between the distance sensor (2) and the target product (4)or stack (7) of target product (4) at the target location (3).

Now referring primarily to FIG. 2, embodiments of the invention canfurther include a computer implemented inventory control program (11)including a signal analyzer (12) which analyzes the sensor signal (2 a)to determine the separation distance (10) between the distance sensor(2) and the target product (4). The inventory control program (11) canfurther include an inventory calculator (13) which calculates aninventory level (14) of the target product (4) positioned at the targetlocation (3) based on the separation distance (10) between the distancesensor (2) and the target product (4). As to particular embodiments, thefunctions of the signal analyzer (12) and the inventory calculator (13)can be implemented by execution of the inventory control program (11)contained in a memory element (15) (or on computer readable media) ofthe computer means (16) and the network means (17) utilized to practiceembodiments of the an inventive inventory control system (1).

It is not intended that embodiments of the invention be practiced inonly wide area computing environments or only in local computingenvironments, but rather the invention can be practiced in localcomputing environments or in distributed computing environments wherefunctions or tasks are performed by remote processing devices that arelinked through a communications network. In a distributed computingenvironment, program modules may be located in both a local or in aremote memory storage device(s) or device elements. While a preferredembodiment of the invention is described in the general context ofcomputer-executable instructions of the inventory control program (11)or program modules which utilize routines, programs, objects,components, data structures, or the like, to perform particularfunctions or tasks or implement particular abstract data types, or thelike, being executed by the computer means (16) and network means (17),it is not intended that any embodiments of the invention be limited to aparticular set of computer-executable instructions or protocols.

FIG. 2 provides in general overview an illustrative example of computermeans (16) which includes a first computer (18) having a processing unit(19), one or more memory elements (15), and a bus (20) (which operablycouples certain components of the first computer (18), including withoutlimitation the memory elements (15) to the processing unit (19). Theprocessing unit (19) can comprise one central-processing unit (CPU), ora plurality of processing units which operate in parallel to processdigital information. The bus (20) may be any of several types of busconfigurations including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheralbus, and a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. Thememory element (15) can without limitation be a read only memory (ROM)(21) or a random access memory (RAM) (22), or both. A basic input/outputsystem (BIOS) (23), containing routines that assist transfer of databetween the components of the first computer (18), such as duringstart-up, can be stored in ROM (21). The first computer (18) can furtherinclude a hard disk drive (24) for reading from and writing to a harddisk (25), a magnetic disk drive (26) for reading from or writing to aremovable magnetic disk (27), and an optical disk drive (28) for readingfrom or writing to a removable optical disk (29) such as a CD ROM orother optical media. The hard disk drive (24), magnetic disk drive (26),and optical disk drive (28) can be connected to the bus (20) by a harddisk drive interface (30), a magnetic disk drive interface (31), and anoptical disk drive interface (32), respectively. The drives and theirassociated computer-readable media provide non-volatile storage ofcomputer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules andother data for the first computer (18). A number of program modules maybe stored on the hard disk drive (25), magnetic disk (27), optical disk(29), ROM (21), or RAM (22), including an operating system (33), one ora plurality of application programs (34) including the inventory controlprogram (11) which can include a graphical user interface application(35) or other program interfaces. It can be appreciated by those skilledin the art that any type of computer-readable media that can store datathat is accessible by a computer, such as magnetic cassettes, flashmemory cards, digital video disks, Bernoulli cartridges, random accessmemories (RAMs), read only memories (ROMs), and the like, may be used ina variety of operating environments, and that the first computer (18)can include a wide variety of hardware such as set-top boxes,intelligent televisions connected to receive data through anentertainment medium such as a cable television network or a digitalsatellite broadcast, hand-held devices such as smart phones, tablet,slate or pad computers, personal digital assistants or camera/cellphone, or multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmableconsumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers,or the like.

The first computer (18) may operate with network means (17) includingone or more logical connections (36) to connect to one or more remotesecond computers (37). These logical connections (36) are achieved byone or more communication devices (38) coupled to or a part of the firstcomputer (18) and the second computer (37); however, the invention isnot limited to a particular type of communications device (38). Thesecond computer (37) can be another computer, a server, a router, anetwork personal computer, a client, a peer device or other commonnetwork node, and can include a part or all of the elementsabove-described relative to the first computer (18). The logicalconnections (36) depicted in FIG. 2 can include a local-area network(LAN) (39) or a wide-area network (WAN) (40). Such networkingenvironments are commonplace in offices, enterprise-wide computernetworks, intranets, wireless networks, global satellite networks,cellular phone networks and the Internet (41).

When used in a LAN-networking environment (39), the first computer (18)can be connected to the local network through a network interface oradapter (42), which is one type of communications device (38). When usedin a WAN-networking environment (40), the first computer (18) typicallyincludes a modem (43), a type of communications device (38), or anyother type of communications device for establishing communications overthe wide area network (40), such as the Internet (41). The modem (43),which may be internal or external, can be connected to the bus (20) viaa serial port interface (44). In a networked environment, programmodules depicted relative to the first computer (18), or portionsthereof, may be as to certain embodiments of the invention stored in oneor more second computers (37). It is appreciated that the networkconnections shown are exemplary and other means of and communicationsdevices for establishing a communications link between the computers canbe used.

The first computer (18) and the second computer (37) can further includea display surface (45) such as a monitor screen or other type of displaydevice can also be connected to the bus (20) via a display surfaceinterface (46), such as a video adapter, or the like. A graphical userinterface (35) can be depicted on the display surface (45) as one moreuser interactive graphical images (47). In addition to the displaysurface (45), the first computer (18) can further include otherperipheral output devices (48) connect to the bus (20) by correspondingperipheral out device interfaces (49) such as: speakers and printers;although the peripheral output devices (48) are not so limited.

A user (50) may enter commands and information through input devices(51) such as a keyboard (52) or a pointing device (53) such as a mouse(54); however, any method or device that converts user action intocommands and information can be utilized including, but not limited to:a microphone, joystick, game pad, touch screen, or the like.

A “click event” occurs when the user (50) operates a function of theinventory control program (11) (or other application program (34),module or the like) through the use of a command, for example, pressingor releasing a left mouse button (55) while a pointer icon (56) islocated over a control icon (57) displayed in a user interactive image(47). However, it is not intended that a “click event” be limited to thepress and release of the left mouse button (55) on a mouse (54) while apointer icon (56) is located over a control icon (57), rather, a “clickevent” is intended to broadly encompass a command by the user (50)through which a function of the inventory control program (11) (or otherapplication program (33), module or the like) can be activated orperformed, whether through selection of one or a plurality of controlicon(s) (57) or fields, or by user voice command, keyboard stroke, mousebutton, display surface touch or otherwise. It is further intended thatthe control icons (57) can be configured or displayed without limitationas a bullet, a point, a circle, a triangle, a square, a polygon (orother configurations or combinations or permutations thereof), or asfields in which addresses such as a street address, zip code, countycode, or natural area code, or inputting a latitude/longitude orprojected coordinate X and Y, or other notation, script or character, orthe like, whether populated manually or by operation of the inventorycontrol program (11), or a portion or element thereof.

Again referring primarily to FIG. 2, in general, each of the secondcomputers can include an Internet browser (105) (also referred to as a“browser”) such as Microsoft's INTERNET EXPLORER, GOOGLE CHROME,MOZILLA, FIREFOX, or the like, which functions to download and rendermultimedia content that is formatted in “hypertext markup language”(HTML). In this environment, a memory element (15) of the first computer(18) can contain the inventory control program (11) including the signalanalyzer (12), the inventory calculator (13) and the graphical userinterface application (35) (or other interface applications), as furtherdescribed below. As to these embodiments, the inventory control program(11) can be resident in the first server computer (18) and the one ormore second computers (37) can use the browser (57) to displaydownloaded content and to relay user inputs back to the first computer(18). The first computer (18) would respond by formatting one or morenew user interactive graphical images (47) for display on the displaysurface (45) (as shown in the illustrative examples of FIGS. 3 through14).

In other embodiments, the one or more first computers (18) can be usedprimarily as sources of data or images, with primary responsibility forimplementing the graphical user interface application (35) being placedupon each of the one or more second computers (37). As to theseembodiments, each of the one or more second computers (37) can run theappropriate portions of the inventory control program (11).

Again referring primarily to FIGS. 1 and 2, embodiments of the inventioncan further include a wireless sender (58) which operates to generateand transmit a radio frequency signal (59) which can carry the sensorsignal (2 a) generated by the distance sensor (2) to a wireless receiver(60) coupled by a wireless receiver interface (61) to the bus (20) ofthe first computer (18) or the second computer (37). The wirelessreceiver (60) can receive the radio frequency signal (59) carrying thesensor signal (2 a). The sensor signal (2 a) can be analyzed by thesignal analyzer (12), as above described. While the Figures show anembodiment of the invention which includes a wireless sender (58) andwireless receiver (60); particular embodiments of the invention can behard wired between the distance sensor (2) and the first computer (18)or the second computer (37).

Additionally, as to particular embodiments, the term distance sensor (2)means a plurality of distance sensors (2) and the term target location(3) means a plurality of target locations (3) with one of the pluralityof distance sensors (2) having a fixed position in relation to acorresponding one of the plurality of target locations (3). Accordingly,the plurality of distance sensors (2) generate a corresponding pluralityof sensor signals (2 a) each of which varies based on separationdistance (10) between one of the plurality of distance sensors (2) andthe corresponding target product (4) (or a stack (14) of target product(4)). As to these embodiments, the invention can further include asignal collector (62) which combines the plurality of sensor signals (2a) into a combined sensor signal (63) which can be transmitted (whetherby wire or wirelessly) for analysis by the signal analyzer (12). Thesignal analyzer (12) can further function to analyze the combined sensorsignal (63) to determine the separation distance (10) between each ofthe plurality of distance sensors (2) and each of the correspondingtarget products (4) (or stacks (7) of target product (4)).

Now referring primarily to FIGS. 3 through 12, embodiments of theinvention include the processing unit (19) in communication with thememory (15) containing the inventory control program (11) including thegraphical user interface application (35) executable to depict one ormore user interactive graphical images (47) on a display surface (45).The graphical user interface application (35) can be implemented usingvarious technologies and different devices, depending on the preferencesof the designer and the particular efficiencies desired for a givencircumstance.

Now referring primarily to FIGS. 2 and 3, the user (50) by “click event”can activate the inventory control program (11). The inventory controlprogram (11) can further include a login module (64) which can functionto depict on the display surface (45) a user interactive graphical image(47) (as shown in the example of FIG. 3) including a login format (65).As shown in the example of FIG. 3, the user (50) can enter a user name(66) and password (67); although other login formats (65) can beutilized depending up the application. The login module (64) functionsto verify the identity of the user (50). As to the embodiment shown inFIG. 3, the login module (64) identifies the user name (66) and password(67) and allows implementation of the graphical user interfaceapplication (35) which functions to depict one or more additional userinteractive graphical images (47) on the display surface (45).

Now referring primarily to FIGS. 2, and 4 through 8, the inventorycontrol program (11) can further includes one or more an inventorycontrol modules (68) each of which functions to display a one or moreuser interactive graphical images (47) which by click event allows theuser (50) to select one or more corresponding inventory control moduleidentifiers (69). As illustrative examples the one or more inventorycontrol program module identifiers (69) associated with a correspondingone or more inventory control modules (68) can include, as illustrativeexamples: “sales reports”, “inventory control”, “replenish”,“replenishment report”, “inventory report”, “historical invoivces”,“capture retail pricing” or the like.

Now referring primarily to FIG. 4, the user (50) by click event canselect an inventory control identifier (69 a) which triggers depictionof a series of a user interactive graphical images (47) (as shown theexamples of FIGS. 5 through 8) by the corresponding inventory controlmodule (68 a) which allows the user (50) by click event to commence aninteractive procedure to store a target location identifier (70)associated with a target location (3) in a target location identifierrepository (71) contained in the memory (15).

Now referring primarily to FIG. 5, the inventory control module (68) canfunction to depict a user interactive graphical image (47) which allowsthe user by click event to add a target location (3) of a target product(4) positioned in relation to a distance sensor (2) with one or moretarget location identifiers (70).

In the example of FIG. 6, the inventory control module (68) can functionto depict a user interactive graphical image (4) including one or moretarget location identifier fields (72) in which the user (50) by clickevent can populate with a target location name (73) and a targetlocation address (74) (whether geographical, coordinate, or otherwise)of a target product (4). The inventory control module (69) can furtherprovide a graphical user image (47) which by click event allows the user(50) to further characterize the target location (3) by association withadditional target location identifiers (70) to define the configurationof a target location (3) for the target product (4).

As shown in the illustrative example of FIG. 7, the user (50) by clickevent can add additional target location identifiers (70) to define theconfiguration of the target location (3) associated with a particulartarget product (4) (or associated with a particular distance sensor (2))such as a cold shelf (75) or a warm shelf (76)), a display (77),backstock (78), or other identifiers which define the target location(4). The user (50) by click event can save the selected target locationidentifiers (70) associated with the target location (4) in the targetlocation repository (71) contained in the memory (15).

As shown in FIG. 8, the user (50) by click event can repeat the stepwiseprocess to generate a plurality target location identifiers (70)associated with a corresponding plurality of target locations (4) eachof which can be retrievably stored in the target location repository(71).

Now referring primarily to FIGS. 9 through 11, the inventory controlmodule (68 a) can display a subsequent set of user interactive graphicalimages (47) which allow the user (50) by click event to associate atarget identifier (79) with each of the target products (4) located atthe target location (4). As shown in the example of FIG. 9, as toparticular embodiments of the invention, the user interactive graphicalimages (47) allow the user (50) by click event to select a targetproduct identifier (79) from a list of all target product identifiers(80) or in a drill down process by serial presentation of successivelynarrowing lists of target product identifiers (81). For example, theuser (50) by click event can select brand identifiers (82) (as shown inthe example of FIG. 9) to display by operation of the inventory controlmodule (69) a list of target brand identifiers (83) (as shown in theexample of FIG. 10). The user (50) by click event can then select onetarget brand identifier from the list of target brand identifiers (83)(for example “7-UP”(84)) to display a list of target product identifiers(80) associated with the target brand identifier (82) (as shown in theexample of FIG. 11). The user (50) by click event can then select atarget product identifier (79) from the list of target productidentifiers (80) (as shown in the example of FIG. 11 “7-UP 12/1L PET”).The user (50) by click event can retrievably store the selected targetidentifiers (79) associated with the target product (4) in a targetidentifier repository (85) contained in the memory (15).

Now referring primarily to FIG. 12, the inventory control module (68 a)can further depict a user interactive graphical image (47) which allowsthe the user (50) by click event to populate a sensor identifier field(86) with a distance sensor identifier (87) (for example “123”) whichcan be retrievably stored in a distance sensor repository (88) of thememory element (15). As shown in the example FIG. 13, the prior selectedtarget identifier (79) (“7-UP 12/1L PET”) can be associated with thedistance sensor identifier (87) (“123”).

Again referring primarily to FIG. 12, the inventory control module (68)can further function to depict a distance sensor identifiers (87)associated with a selected one of the target product identifiers (79)and further depict a plurality of inventory control fields (89) whichcan be populated by click event of the user (50) (or as to particularembodiments automatically populated by operation of the inventorycontrol module (68 a)) to display a first separation distance value (90)representing a first separation distance (91). The first separationdistance (91) can be the distance between the distance sensor (2) andthe target location (3) absent any target product (4) (as shown in theexample of FIG. 1) which can be associated with the first separationdistance value (90)) (“16” as shown in the example of FIG. 12). Theinventory control module (68 a)) can further display a second separationdistance value (92) representing a second separation distance (93) witha full inventory of the target product (4) at the target location (3)(as shown as shown in the example of FIG. 1) which can be associatedwith a second separation distance value (93) (“2” as shown in theexample of FIG. 12). The inventory control module (68 a) can furtherdepict, or the user (50) can enter by click event, an inventory capacityvalue (94) associated with the target product (4) at the target location(3). The inventory capacity value (94) represents the inventory capacity(106) at a target location (4) for receiving a target product (3)associated with the selected target product identifier (79) calculatedbased on the first separation distance value (92), As shown in theexample of FIGS. 1 and 12, the inventory capacity value (94) associatedwith the inventory capacity (106) of the target product (4) associatedwith the target product identifier (79) (“7-UP 12/1L PET”) is “7”.

Again referring primarily to FIGS. 1 and 12, embodiments of theinventory control module (68 a) can further function to calculate andassociate a layer height separation distance value (95) with eachuniform layer height (9) of the one or more layers (8) in a stack (7) ofthe target product (4) at the target location (3) (as shown in theexample of FIG. 1). In the illustrative example of FIG. 12, the secondseparation distance value (92) (“2”) associated with the firstseparation distance (91) can be subtracted from the first separationdistance value (90) (“16”) associated with the first separation distance(93) with the resulting difference in value (“14”) divided by theinventory capacity value (94) (“7”) to obtain the layer heightseparation value (95) (“2”) associated with the uniform layer height (9)of a target product (4).

Now referring primarily to FIG. 13, the inventory control module (68 a)can further function to display a user interactive graphical image (47)which upon click event by the user (50) to select a target locationidentifier (70) or select a distance sensor identifier (87) displays aninventory level value (96) representing the inventory level (14) of atarget product (4) positioned at the target location (3) based on theseparation distance (10) between the distance sensor (2) and the targetproduct (4) or stack (7) of target product (4).

FIGS. 12 and 13 provide an illustrative example in which the targetproduct (4) is associated with the target product identifier (79) (“7-UP12/1L PET”) having a target location (3) associated with the targetlocation identifier (70)“COOLER 7-UP SHELF 1”) which has an associatedinventory capacity value (94) of “7”. User (50) selection of the targetlocation identifier (70) (or as to certain embodiments the distancesensor identifier (87) by click event activates the inventory calculator(13) which utilizes the separation distance (10) determined by thesignal analyzer (12) for the selected target location (3). The inventorycalculator (13) further functions to determine the inventory level (14)of the target product (3) associated with the product identifier (79)(“7-UP 12/1L PET”) at the target location (3) and displays the inventorylevel value (96) (as shown in the example of FIG. 13 “6”). As to certainembodiments, the inventory level value (96) can be determined bycomparing a first separation distance (91) (or first separation distancevalue (92)) to a second separation distance (93) (or second separationdistance value (94)) to determine that the separation distance (10) atthe target location (3) has increased from the first separation distancevalue (92) (for example “2” to “4”) a difference of “2” which divided bythe layer height separation distance value (95) (of “2 in the instantexample of FIG. 13) indicates that one target product layer (8) of thetarget product (3) has been removed from the stack (7) resulting in aninventory level (14) of the target product (3) having a target productlevel identifier (96) (of “6” in the instant example of FIG. 13). Theinventory level identifier (96) (“6”) can by function of the inventorycontrol module (68 a) be depicted in an inventory level field (97) ofthe graphical user interface image (47). The inventory capacity value(94) (of “7” in the instant example of FIG. 13) for the target product(4) at the target location (3) can further be displayed by operation ofthe inventory control module (68 a).

As to particular embodiments, the inventory calculator (13) can furtherfunction to calculate an initial inventory level (98) based on a firstseparation distance (91) between the distance sensor (2) and the targetproduct (4) or stack (7) of target product (4) acquired at a first timepoint (99) and a closing inventory level (100) based on a secondseparation distance (93) between the distance sensor (2) and the targetproduct (4) or stack (7) of target product (4) acquired at a second timepoint (101).

Now referring primarily to FIGS. 3 and 14, the inventory control program(11) can further include an inventory replenishment module (102) whichupon selection by click event displays a user interactive graphical userinterface (47) which allows a user (50) by click event to populate aplurality of inventory replenishment fields (103) with a correspondingplurality of target product replenishment values (104). As to particularembodiments, the inventory replenishment fields (103) can be populatedwith target product replenishment values (104) by operation of theinventory control module (68 a). As shown in the example of FIG. 14, thereplenishment value (104) for “7-UP 12/1L PET” can be “1” calculated bysubtraction of the inventory level value (96) from the inventorycapacity value (94).

As can be easily understood from the foregoing, the basic concepts ofthe present invention may be embodied in a variety of ways. Theinvention involves numerous and varied embodiments of an inventorycontrol system and methods for making and using such inventory controlsystem.

As such, the particular embodiments or elements of the inventiondisclosed by the description or shown in the figures or tablesaccompanying this application are not intended to be limiting, butrather exemplary of the numerous and varied embodiments genericallyencompassed by the invention or equivalents encompassed with respect toany particular element thereof. In addition, the specific description ofa single embodiment or element of the invention may not explicitlydescribe all embodiments or elements possible; many alternatives areimplicitly disclosed by the description and figures.

It should be understood that each element of an apparatus or each stepof a method may be described by an apparatus term or method term. Suchterms can be substituted where desired to make explicit the implicitlybroad coverage to which this invention is entitled. As but one example,it should be understood that all steps of a method may be disclosed asan action, a means for taking that action, or as an element which causesthat action. Similarly, each element of an apparatus may be disclosed asthe physical element or the action which that physical elementfacilitates. As but one example, the disclosure of a “sensor” should beunderstood to encompass disclosure of the act of “sensing”—whetherexplicitly discussed or not—and, conversely, were there effectivelydisclosure of the act of “sensing”, such a disclosure should beunderstood to encompass disclosure of a “sensor” and even a “means forsensing.” Such alternative terms for each element or step are to beunderstood to be explicitly included in the description.

In addition, as to each term used it should be understood that unlessits utilization in this application is inconsistent with suchinterpretation, common dictionary definitions should be understood toincluded in the description for each term as contained in the RandomHouse Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, second edition, each definitionhereby incorporated by reference.

All numeric values herein are assumed to be modified by the term“about”, whether or not explicitly indicated. For the purposes of thepresent invention, ranges may be expressed as from “about” oneparticular value to “about” another particular value. When such a rangeis expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular valueto the other particular value. The recitation of numerical ranges byendpoints includes all the numeric values subsumed within that range. Anumerical range of one to five includes for example the numeric values1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, 5, and so forth. It will be furtherunderstood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant bothin relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the otherendpoint. When a value is expressed as an approximation by use of theantecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular valueforms another embodiment. The term “about” generally refers to a rangeof numeric values that one of skill in the art would consider equivalentto the recited numeric value or having the same function or result.Similarly, the antecedent “substantially” means largely, but not wholly,the same form, manner or degree and the particular element will have arange of configurations as a person of ordinary skill in the art wouldconsider as having the same function or result. When a particularelement is expressed as an approximation by use of the antecedent“substantially,” it will be understood that the particular element formsanother embodiment.

Moreover, for the purposes of the present invention, the term “a” or“an” entity refers to one or more of that entity unless otherwiselimited. As such, the terms “a” or “an”, “one or more” and “at leastone” can be used interchangeably herein.

Thus, the applicant(s) should be understood to claim at least: i) eachof the inventory control devices and inventory control systems hereindisclosed and described, ii) the related methods disclosed anddescribed, iii) similar, equivalent, and even implicit variations ofeach of these devices and methods, iv) those alternative embodimentswhich accomplish each of the functions shown, disclosed, or described,v) those alternative designs and methods which accomplish each of thefunctions shown as are implicit to accomplish that which is disclosedand described, vi) each feature, component, and step shown as separateand independent inventions, vii) the applications enhanced by thevarious systems or components disclosed, viii) the resulting productsproduced by such systems or components, ix) methods and apparatusessubstantially as described hereinbefore and with reference to any of theaccompanying examples, x) the various combinations and permutations ofeach of the previous elements disclosed.

The background section of this patent application provides a statementof the field of endeavor to which the invention pertains. This sectionmay also incorporate or contain paraphrasing of certain United Statespatents, patent applications, publications, or subject matter of theclaimed invention useful in relating information, problems, or concernsabout the state of technology to which the invention is drawn toward. Itis not intended that any United States patent, patent application,publication, statement or other information cited or incorporated hereinbe interpreted, construed or deemed to be admitted as prior art withrespect to the invention.

The claims set forth in this specification, if any, are herebyincorporated by reference as part of this description of the invention,and the applicant expressly reserves the right to use all of or aportion of such incorporated content of such claims as additionaldescription to support any of or all of the claims or any element orcomponent thereof, and the applicant further expressly reserves theright to move any portion of or all of the incorporated content of suchclaims or any element or component thereof from the description into theclaims or vice-versa as necessary to define the matter for whichprotection is sought by this application or by any subsequentapplication or continuation, division, or continuation-in-partapplication thereof, or to obtain any benefit of, reduction in feespursuant to, or to comply with the patent laws, rules, or regulations ofany country or treaty, and such content incorporated by reference shallsurvive during the entire pendency of this application including anysubsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-part applicationthereof or any reissue or extension thereon.

Additionally, the claims set forth in this specification, if any, arefurther intended to describe the metes and bounds of a limited number ofthe preferred embodiments of the invention and are not to be construedas the broadest embodiment of the invention or a complete listing ofembodiments of the invention that may be claimed. The applicant does notwaive any right to develop further claims based upon the description setforth above as a part of any continuation, division, orcontinuation-in-part, or similar application.

I claim:
 1. An inventory control system, comprising: a distance sensorhaving fixed position in relation to a target location, said distancesensor generating a sensor signal which varies based on a separationdistance between said distance sensor and said target location absent atarget product positioned between to said distance sensor and saidtarget location; a non-transitory memory element containing an inventorycontrol program; a processor in communication with said non-transitorymemory, said inventory control program including: a target locationconfiguration interface which generates a target location configurationbased upon one or more target location identifiers entered into saidtarget location configuration interface; a signal analyzer whichanalyzes said sensor signal to determine said separation distancebetween said distance sensor and said target location; and an inventorycalculator which calculates an inventory capacity at said targetlocation based upon said target location configuration and saidseparation distance.
 2. The inventory control system of claim 1, whereinsaid distance sensor is selected from the group consisting of: aninfrared sensor, a triangulation sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, orcombinations thereof.
 3. The inventory control system of claim 1,further comprising a target product positioned in relation to saiddistance sensor at said target location, wherein said target productcomprises a stack including one or more layers of said target producteach having a substantially uniform layer height.
 4. The inventorycontrol system of claim 3, wherein said inventory calculator furthercalculates an initial inventory level based on a first separationdistance between said distance sensor and said stack of target productacquired at a first time point and a closing inventory level based on asecond separation distance between said distance sensor and said stackof target product acquired at a second time point.
 5. The inventorycontrol system of claim 4, wherein said inventory control programfurther includes a separation distance comparator which functions tocompare said first separation distance and said second separationdistance to determine a change between said initial inventory level andsaid closing inventory level.
 6. The inventory control system of claim5, further comprising; a wireless sender which transmits said sensorsignal; and a wireless receiver which receives said sensor signal, saidwireless receiver coupled to said signal analyzer.
 7. The inventorycontrol system of claim 6, wherein said distance sensor comprises aplurality of distance sensors and wherein said target location comprisesa plurality of target locations, and wherein one of said plurality ofdistance sensors has a fixed position in relation to a corresponding oneof said plurality of target locations, and wherein said plurality ofdistance sensors generate a plurality of signals each of which variesbased on separation distance between one of said plurality of distancesensors and a stack of target product positioned at said correspondingone of said plurality of target locations.
 8. The inventory controlsystem of claim 7, further comprising a signal collector which combinessaid plurality signals into a combined signal for analysis by saidsignal analyzer, said signal analyzer determining said separationdistance between each of said plurality of distance sensors and saidstack of target product.
 9. The inventory control system of claim 8,wherein said inventory control program further includes a graphical userinterface program executable to generate one or more user interactivegraphical images depicted on a graphical display surface, said userinteractive graphical images allow entry of a target location identifierretrievably stored in a target location repository contained saidnon-transitory memory element, said target location identifierassociated with said target location.
 10. The inventory control systemof claim 9, wherein said user interactive graphical images further allowentry of a target identifier retrievably stored in a target identifierrepository contained in said non-transitory memory element, said targetidentifier associated with said target product.
 11. The inventorycontrol system of claim 10, wherein said user interactive graphicalimages further allow entry of a distance sensor identifier retrievablystored in a distance sensor identifier repository contained in saidnon-transitory memory element, said distance sensor identifierassociated with said distance sensor.
 12. The inventory control systemof claim 11, wherein said inventory control program further functions todepict in said user interactive graphical images said inventory capacityof said target product at said target location and further functions todepict said inventory level of said target product at said targetlocation.
 13. The inventory control system of claim 11, wherein saidinventory control program further functions to depict in said userinteractive graphical images a target product replenishment value forsaid target product at said target location.
 14. A computer system forinventory control, comprising: a non-transitory memory; a processor incommunication with said non-transitory memory, said non-transitorymemory containing a computer code executable to: store a targetidentifier in a target identifier repository contained in saidnon-transitory memory; store a distance sensor identifier in a sensoridentifier repository contained in said non-transitory memory; store atarget location identifier in a target location identifier repositorycontained in said non-transitory memory; associate said sensoridentifier with said target location identifier; associate said targetlocation identifiers with a target location configuration; associate aseparation distance value with said target location identifier, saidseparation distance value determined in the absence of a target productpositioned in relation to a distance sensor at a target location;calculate an inventory capacity value associated with said targetidentifier based on said separation distance value associated with saidtarget location identifier and said target location configurationidentifiers.
 15. The computer system of claim 14, wherein said computercode is further executable to: associate a first separation distancevalue with said sensor identifier, said first separation distance valuecorresponding to an initial inventory level associated with said targetidentifier; associate a second separation distance value with saidsensor identifier, said second separation distance value correspondingto a closing inventory level associated with said target identifier; andcalculate change between said initial inventory level and said closinginventory condition based on difference between said first separationdistance value and said second separation distance value.
 16. Thecomputer system of claim 15, wherein said computer code is furtherexecutable to analyze a sensor signal generated by a distance sensorhaving fixed position in relation to a target location to determine saidseparation distance value associated with said target identifier. 17.The computer system of claim 16, wherein said computer code is furtherexecutable to analyze a plurality of sensor signals generated by aplurality of distance sensors each having fixed position in relation toa target location to determine said separation distance value associatedwith said target identifier.
 18. The computer system of claim 17,wherein said computer code is further executable to depict one or moreuser interactive graphical images on a graphical display surface, saiduser interactive graphical images allow entry of said target locationidentifier.
 19. The computer system of claim 18, wherein said computercode is further executable to depict one or more user interactivegraphical images on said graphical display surface to allow entry of atarget identifier.
 20. The computer system of claim 19, wherein saidcomputer code is further executable to depict said one or more userinteractive graphical images on said graphical display surface to allowentry of said distance sensor identifier.
 21. The computer system ofclaim 20, wherein said computer code is further executable to depict insaid one or more user interactive graphical images said inventory levelvalue associated with said target identifier.
 22. The computer system ofclaim 21, wherein said computer code is further executable to depict insaid one or more user interactive graphical images a target productreplenishment value associated with said target product identifier.